robertson



(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 1 J.H.ROBBRTSON. AUTOGRAPHIG TBLEGRAPHY.

Patented Oct. 5, 1886. WM I i K N. PETERs. Phulb-Lilhugmphen wnshin wn. DIG.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(N0 Model.)

J. H- ROBERTSON. AUTOGRAPHIG TELEGRAPHY.

No. 350,320. Patented Oct. 5, 1886.

[woe/20,5221 E N. PETERs. Photo-Lithographer. Washinglnn, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT. Fries.

JAMES H. ROBERTSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

AUTOGRAPHIC TELEGRAPHY.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 350,320, dated October 5, 1886.

Application filed September 18, 1885. Serial No.177,435. (No model.)

To all whom/ it may concern:

. Be it known that I, JAMES H. ROBERTSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Autographic Telegraphs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the class of autographic telegraphs describedin my application filed February 3, 1885, Serial N 0. 154,795.-

The objects of my invention are, first, to secure greater accuracy in the reproduction of the writing or matter traced by the stylus of the operator, so that the result may be as nearly as possible a facsimile of the original matter traced; second, to secure greater speed and, third, to simplify the several parts of the apparatus. I accomplish these objects by the combination, arrangement, and construction of elements hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a transmitting and receiving apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in horizontal cross-section on lines a: wand yy, of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3illustrates a modification of the transmitting apparatus.

In the apparatus described in my former application above referred to, the strength of the electric current passing in the coils of the receiving-instrument is varied by introducing resistance-coils into or cutting the same out of the circuit, but this method does not permit a gradual increase or decrease of resistance, being limited to a step-by-step variation there= of. Thesimilar method of varying thestrength of the current by increasing or reducing the number of cells of battery in the circuit is open to the same objection, and both of these methods are cumbersome and expensive.

In mypresentinvention I alter the strength of the current by varying the pressure on a series of carbon disks included in the circuit, and by this method the strength of the current is gradually changed instead of suddenly, as by the other methods described, and the result is, therefore, a more perfect reproduction.

The transmittingdnstrnment embraces in its construction two cylinders, casings,or holders,

.A A, containing each a number of carbon rests in contact with or engagesa metal plate or follower, as E E, covering the series or pile of carbon disks. Each holder carries a platina or other metal plate, G, in its bottom, connected with a battery, as H H. The electro-magnets of the receiving-intrument are connected with the said batteries by conductors extending to the standards or bearings of the levers Two standards, II, mounted on the base-plate,carry pivoted guides K K,in which rods L L freely slide. Said sliding rods are pivoted at their inner ends to a sleeve, M, in which the stylus or sending-tracer N is inserted, while their outer ends are connected by spiral springs P P with the levers D D. The dotted square on the table indicates the field within which the movements of the tracer are preferably confined, though the same may be caused to travel outside of the same, if desired. The tracer or stylus N in this case is merely any convenient holder for the hand, and may or may not be provided With a marking-point. For convenience the point of the stylus or holder rests on the baseplate or table, which may be provided within the dotted square with a metal or other hard and smooth surface. The stylus is grasped by the hand of the operator and the letters, marks, orcharacters outlined within the said square. Each character may be separately outlined in the same field, or two or three characters may be outlined side by side+zl 6., in different fields. If desired, a strip of paper may be caused to pass under the stylus, and the latter provided with a marking-point, so that the operator may see the characters traced by him; but this, while it may be considered a convenience, is not essential.- The stylus, though useful, may be dispensed with, for the operatorr may grasp the sleeve M instead, and move his hand as required to trace the outline of the letters or characters to be written by the receiving-instrument. In fact, all that it is essential to do is to impart the necessary movements to the point where the two sliding rods would intersect each other if extended. The effect of the movements given to this point is (by means of the sliding rods, spiral springs, and levers) to increase or decrease the pressure on the pile of carbon disks in the holders A A, thereby varying the resistance of the circuits and in consequence the strength of the currents.

I do not desire to limit myself to the use of carbon disks or carbon powder, as other materials or substances may be used, though carbon is preferred. This part of my invention consists, broadly, in varying the resistance of the circuit in such a manner as to secure a gradual alteration of current strength instead of a sudden or step-by-step alteration thereof, as has been heretofore done, and I accomplish this by varying the pressure on an appropriate substance or material included in the circuit. This variation of pressure may be secured by mechanical means, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, or by electro-magnetic means or magnetic means, as illustrated in Fig. 3. In this modification the sliding rod is made a permanent magnet, as 50, which is connected by a rod, 51, to the sleeve by a pivot, as in Fig. 1. The lever D, pressing on the carbon disks, is provided with an armature, 52, arranged opposite one end of the permanent magnet. As the sliding permanent magnet is moved nearer to or farther from the armature 52,the greater magnetized standards.

or less will be the magnetic force acting on said armature andthe greater or less will be the pressure exerted by the lever on the carbon disks.

Referring to the receiving-instrument, the numbers 7 and 8 indicate standards or supports for armatures 9 and 10. The armature 9 is pivoted to standard 7, so as to swing across the ribbon of paper on which the writing is to appear, and is made comparatively short and light. The armature 10 is preferably universally pivoted to standard 8, so as to swing not only lengthwise of the paper, but also to be capable of moving to some extent at right angles thereto. Both of these armatures are constructed of soft iron, and are polarized by induction from the permanently The electro-magnets 14 and 15 for said armatures are arranged to face the ends of the same, and are preferably placed below the table, so as to be out of sight. The armature 10, for example, is arranged to swing from one to the other pole of its electro'magnet and substantially parallel to the face thereof. It is attracted by the north and repelled by the south pole of said magnet, and is held normally in the inclined position shown, by the adjustable spring 16, connected by a wire or thread with the marking stylus or pencil 17, and from thence by con necting thread 18 with armature 10. This armature is short and light, is rapidly moved about, and has a long range of movement.

The same is true of armature 9, to .which the marking implement 17 is pivoted. Said armature is held normally in a rearwardly-iuclined position by means of the adjustable spring 19. (See Fig. 2.)

In moving the stylus N in a straight line to the right, the pressure on the ,disks in holder A is increased by reason of the greater tension of spiral spring P, thus decreasing the resistance of the circuit, and in consequence increasing the strength of the current energizing the electro-magnet 15 of the receiver. The greater strength of the current causes the armature 10 to be more strongly attracted by the north pole and repelled by the south pole of the said magnet, and said armature is therefore caused to move toward the right in opposition to the force of the spring, until the two opposing forces are in equilibrium again. A further movement to the right or the sendingstylus Will cause a further movementin the same direction of the armature 10, and as said armature is connected to the receiving-stylus 17 the latter will partake of all themovements of the former. In moving the sending-stylus in a straight line away from the operator the tensidn of spring P is decreased,the resistance of the circuit thereby increased, and the strength of the current energizing magnet 14 decreased. The spring 19,therefore, pulls armature 9 and its attached armature 17 toward the standard 7 until the armature has reached the position in which the force exerted by the magnets on the same is exactly balanced by the opposing force exerted by said spring. If the semlingstylus is moved to trace a diagonal or curved line, the strength of the current is varied in both circuits, and the receiviugstylus is therefore similarly moved. y

i The paper strip 20, on which the message or matter transmitted is recorded, is unwound from a roll, 21, passing over guide-rolls 22 23, between feed-rolls 24 25, and beneath the receiving-stylus, as illustrated. The said feedrolls are moved through the medium of a clock work mechanism, the escapement of which is operated by an electro-magnet and armature, as fully described in my former application, hereinbefore referred to. The said armature is retracted by a spring when the circuit is broken, which may be done by depressing the springswitch 30, so as to break contact at the point 31. This springswitch is placed in a convenient position, so as to be within easy control of the operator. The movements of the armature are transmitted to the escape: ment, and the oscillations of the latter permit the clock-work mechanism to revolve the paper feed-rolls.

The receivingstylus 17 is pivoted to the armature 9, so that the point of the stylus in its lowest position is within about one sixtyfourth of an inch of the paperi. 0., near the same but not in actual contact therewith. A plate, 40, of brass or other non-magnetic metal, is let into the surface of the table beneath the stylus and paper. One end of the second- Phelps, and Ihereby ary wire 41 'of an ind uction-coil is connected with said plate, while the other end thereof is connected with the metal standard 7, carrying the armature 9 and its attached stylus 17. The primary wire 42 includes the battery 44 and circuit-breaker 43. A switch, 45, is inserted in the circuit of the primary to enable said circuit to be broken when desired. The paper used is chemically prepared according to any of the well-known processes, and in the operation of the apparatus is discolored or blackened by the electric current passing between the point of the stylus and the metal plate through the prepared paper. As the receiving-stylus is moved by the armatures over the paper the discoloration will follow the lines of movement of the same, thus reproducing on the prepared paper the facsimile of the matter traced by the operator manipulating the sending-tracer. In this construction the receiving-stylus is very light and small and adds very little weight to the armature, so that the latter may be quickly and easily moved, and since the stylus is out of contact with the paper the friction due to contact is eliminated.

It is evident that the improvements in the transmitting mechanism herein shown may be used in connection with the receiving mechanism described in my said former application, instead of with the improvements in the receiving mechanism herein described. Further, it is evident that the operation of the armatures and magnets is the same whether armature 9 carries a stylus operating in connection with chemicallyprepared paper, an induction-coil, and automatic circuit-breaker, or a stylus which is in contact with and marks on the paper, as described in my said former application.

. Wherever in the claims I use the term connections as referring to the mechanism between the pile of carbon disks and the stylus or holder, I desire it to be understood that the same is to be interpreted to cover the constru ction shown in Fig. 3 as well as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. I

The receiving-stylus 17 is preferably arranged so as not to touch the paper, in order to eliminate the friction incident theretoybut I do not desire to limit myself to this, for a part of the advantages of my invention are secured in case the said stylus is arranged to be in contact with the chemically -prepared paper.

I am aware of Patent No. 203.369, to G. M. disclaim what is therein shown and described.

I am also aware of Patents Nos. 224,511 and 239,313, granted to O. F. Brush February 17, 1880, and March 29, 1881, and what is therein shown and described is hereby disclaimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, 1s

1. The combination,with a stylus or holder moved by the hand of the operator, of a pile of carbon disks included in an electric circuit, and connections between said holder and pile so arranged that the movements of the former may cause a variation of pressure on said pile,

.and, in consequence, a variation in the resistert a pressure on the-same, a stylus or holder. pivoted so asto move freely in a lateral direc-.

tion and adapted to be held and moved by the hand of the operator, and connections between said lever and holder so, arranged that the movements of the stylus will cause a variation of pressure on said pile, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a pile of carbon disks, of a lever arranged to exert a pressure on the same, a stylus or holder, and a sliding rod and spring, substantially as described.

4. The combination,with two piles ofcarbon disks, of a stylus or holder pivoted to move freely in any lateral direction and adapted to be held and moved by the hand of the operator, and connections between said holder and piles so arranged that the movements of the stylus will cause a variation of pressure on said piles, substantially as described.

5. The combination,with two piles of carbon.

disks, of two'levers arranged to exert a pressureon the same, a stylus or holder, and connections between said levers and holder, substantially as described.

6. The combination,with two piles of carbon disks, of two levers arranged to exert a pressure on the same, astylus or holder, two sliding rods connected with said holder, and two springs connecting said rods and levers, substantiall y as described.

7. The combination, with two piles of carbon disks, of two levers arranged to exert a pressure on the same, a stylus or holder, two sliding rods pivoted to said holder and arranged to slide in pivoted bearings at substantially right angles to each other, and springs connecting said rods and levers, substantially as described.

8. The combination,with the electro-magnets of the receiving-instrument,of astylus or holder moved by the hand of the operator, two piles of carbon disks included in the circuits with said electro-magnets, and connections between said holder and piles so arranged that the movements of the former may cause a variation of pressure on said piles, and, in consequence, a variation in the resistance of the circuits and the strength of the current, substantially as described.

9. The combination of the receiving-stylus with an electro-magnet and a depending armature arrangcd with its end facing said magnet and pivoted to swing overthe same, substantially as described.

10. The combination of the receiving-stylus with an electro-magnet and a polarized arma- IIO IIS

turc pivotedto swing over and from one pole to the other of the said electro-magnet, the latter being arranged below the free end of said armature, substantially as described.

11. The combination of the receiving stylus with an electro-magnet, a permanently-magnetized standard, an armature polarized" by induction from said standard and pivoted to swing over and from one pole to the other of said electro-magnet, the latter being arranged below the free end of said armature, substantially as described.

12. The combination of the receiving-stylus with two electro magnets arranged below the free ends of their armatures, two armatures pivoted to swing at right angles to each other over said magnets and connected with the said stylus, and retractile springs acting in opposition to the force of said magnets, substantially as described.

13. The combination of the receiving-stylus with two electro-magnets, two polarized armatnres pivoted to swing over said magnets from one pole to the other thereof and con-V nected with said stylus, and retract-ile springs acting in opposition to the force of said magnets, substantially as described.

14. The combination of thereceivingstylus with two electro magnets, two depending ar matures pivoted to swing at right angles to each other over said magnets, one of said armatures carrying said stylus and the other connected thereto, and retractile springs acting in opposition to the force of said magnets, substantially as described.

15. The combination of the receiving-stylus with two electro'magnets, two polarized armatures pivoted to swing over the same from one pole to the other thereof, one of said armatnres carrying said stylus and the other connected thereto, and retractile springs acting in opposition to the force of said magnets, substantially as described.

16. The combination of the receiving-stylus with an electro-magnet and armature con.

nected to and moved by said armature, a conducting-plate arranged below the same and at such distance from the point thereof as to permit the passage of chemically-prepared paper between said plate and stylus without contact of the latter with said paper, and an induction-coil provided with a circuit-breaker and connected with said plate and stylus, substantially as described.

17. The combinatiomwith two electro-magnets and two armatures arranged to swing at right angles to each other, of a stylus connected with said armatures, a conducting-plate located below said stylus and at such a distance therefrom that chemically prepared paper may pass between said plate and stylus without coming in contact with the latter, and an induction-coil provided with a circuit-breaker and connected withsaid plate and stylus, substantially as described.

18. The combination, with an. electro-magnet andan armature carrying the receivingstylus and pivoted to move above the surface of chemically-prepared paper without contact with the same, of a conducting-plate arranged below said stylus and paper, and an inductioncoil and circuit-breaker, substantially as described.

19. The combination,with two electro-magnets, their armatures, and a receiving-stylus connected therewith, of a conducting-platelocated below said stylus, a strip of chemicallyprepared paper arranged to pass between said stylus and plate, and an induction-coil and circuit-breaker, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. ROBERTSON.

Witnesses: V

Jno. E. GAVIN, ISAAC P. STORM. 

